He went to Mexico as a driver who was unknown outside his native France, entering his first ever world rally championship event. He returned with a name that was on the lips of rally enthusiasts round the world, and not only because his Christian name sounded familiar! Sebastien Ogier was well aware of the enormity of the challenge of entering the world rally championship. "We really didn't know what to expect before coming to Mexico. Citroen, PH Sport (who prepared the car) and the world championship scene were all new to me and I had no idea where we stood compared with the others. I am obviously delighted to have won the JWRC category".

Rally people in France already knew Ogier well. FFSA, the French motorsport federation, had helped the careers of rally drivers for some time, most famously in 2000 when they worked with Sebastien Loeb, "This year (the Federation) is aiming even higher", explained FFSA President Nicolas Deschaux. "For the first time the FFSA has decided to give a young hope the opportunity to take part in the whole of a major international championship at the wheel of a rally competitive car". 24 year old Ogier was already French champion in the Peugeot 206 Cup, and his FFSA scholarship was to contest the JWRC season in a Citroen C2 S1600 car. Ogier led the category in Mexico from start to finish, his little car proudly painted in the French blue white and red colours performing perfectly. The worst problem was a puncture on the first day after he hit a stone and bent the steering.

First time out and Ogier has already put his name in the record books. His ninth place in the overall rankings in Mexico equalled the highest overall placings a Junior driver had ever achieved in the world series in the seven year old story of Junior rallying. Four times world champion Sebastien Loeb: "he was quick to begin with, then controlled the race from the front. Their win was a great omen. Congratulations!" One champion can recognize the tell-tale signs in another!

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